Argentina annuls marriage of gay couple
By The Associated Press
03.11.2010
A federal judge annuled the marriage of two gay men that took place in Buenos Aires last week, according to the Catholic News Agency; but gay marriage bills are still moving ahead in Argentina.
Judge Felix Gustavo de Igarzabal of Buenos Aires ruled that marriage is defined by being between a man and a woman – and since both parties were men, no marriage took place. This reversed an earlier decision allowing two gay men to marry at the city’s civil registry office on March 3.
The Argentine congress is currently considering two bills that would legalize marriage equality. Some polls have shown that up to 70 percent of Argentinians support gay marriage. The Argentine Supreme Court is also currently hearing two cases on gay marriage. The Justice Minister is on record as favoring a gender neutral marriage law, as is former president Nestor Kirchner.
Two men were legally wed in the province of Tierra del Fuego in December, after the governor ordered the civil registry office to perform and register their marriage. Cohabitating same-sex couples have the right to collect the pensions of their deceased partners in Argentina and gay prisoners can receive conjugal visits. Civil unions are recognized in four jurisdictions in Argentina, including Buenos Aires.
